Re-usable plastic containers



Aug. 7, 1962 H. R. HUTCHINSON 3,048,299

RE-USABLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS Filed D60. 30, 1959 Fig. Fig. 3

United States Patent 3,048,299 RE-USABLE PLASTIC QONTAINERS Herman R.Hutchinson, Wyncote, Pa., assignor to Plastematic Corporation, Maivern,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 30, 1959, Ser. No. 863,0239 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This invention relates to plastic containerswhich are sealed for protection of their contents and which afterunsealing may be used for protected storage of their partially depletedcontents or for other storage purposes.

The present invention more particularly relates to improvements inplastic containers such as disclosed in US Letters Patent 2,837,236 and2,887,244 to Thomas E. Betner.

In accordance with the present invention, the open end of a plasticcontainer body is provided with a preformed inner cover and with a filmcover which overlies the inner cover. The outer film cover isheat-sealed both to the inner cover and to a tear-off bead integral withthe container body. Thus, until the bead it torn off, there is a dualseal which isolates the container contents from atmosphere and from thespace between the two covers. After the bead is torn off for initialaccess to the container con-tents, it remains attached to the innercover by the film cover and with them forms a re-usable cover unit forthe now unsealed container body.

More specifically, the tear-off bead of the container body is providedwith a tab which initially serves as a means for tearing off the bead inunsealing of the container and thereafter serves as a handle forremovable of the reusable cover unit formed by the two covers and thetornoft" bead.

The invention further resides in plastic containers having features ofconstruction, combination and arrangement hereinafter described andclaimed.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made tothe following description of embodiments thereof and to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a container body;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the upper open end ofthe container body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a preformed inner cover for the containerbody of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, in section, taken on line 22 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational View, on enlarged scale,showing the inner cover of FIGS. 3 and 4 and an overlying film coversealed to the container body of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view referred to in discussion ofunsealing of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in section, of the unsealed containerbody and its re-usable cover unit; and

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 5 but with a modified outer film cover.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container body 10 is formed, as bymolding, of semi-rigid plastic material such as polypropylene, one ofthe various types of polyethylene, or the like. The open end of thecontainer body is formed with an integral tear-off bead 11 which extendsupwardly and outwardly from the upper edge 12 of the body. The upperedge 12 and the inner face of the bead form a peripheral notch whoseapex is directed towards the apex of an opposite peripheral notch formedby the outer face of the bead and the adjacent area of the side wall 19of the container body. These opposed notches define the line along whichthe bead, as later described, may be torn from the container body.

For tearing off of the bead 11 and for other purposes later described,the bead is provided with an integral tab 13 of size suited for grippingbetween the thumb and finger. The open end of the container body is alsoprovided with an inwardly extending head 14 which preferably, and asshown, merges with the upper edge 12 to provide a cover-engaging surfaceof enhanced width greater than the thickness of the side wall 19.

The inner cover 15 (FIGS. 3, 4) is formed, as by molding, of suitableplastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. The dependingskirt 16 of the cover is provided with a groove 17 for receiving thelooking bead 14 of the container body (FIG. 5). At the upper end of itsskirt, the cover 15 is formed with an outwardly extending flange 18whose lower face engages the wide edge of the container body. Thethickness of the flange 13 is substantially equal to the height of thetear-off head 11 so that with the cover 15 in place, its top issubstantially flush with the upper surface of the body bead 11. Theouter diameter of the cover flange 18 rather closely approximates theinner diameter of the tear-01f bead, but need not be a tight fit. Thetop of the cover 15 may be recessed as shown to afford stiffness in theplane of groove 17 and with economy of the plastic cover material.

After the container body is filled with its desired contents, the cover15 is pressed into closed position (FIG. 5), and is held in suchinserted position by the interlocking engagement of the body bead andcover groove. A plastic film cover 26 is subsequently applied over orstretched across the inserted inner cover 15 and the tearoff bead 11 ofthe container body. By application of heat and pressure, this outer filmcover is heat-sealed adjacent its periphery both to the inner cover 15and to the tear-off head 11. There are thus formed two con-centricannular seals 21A, 21B, the former between the film cover 26 and bodybead 11 and the latter between the outer film cover 20 and the innercover 15.

The outer seal 21A isolates rthe container contents from the ambientatmosphere, so protecting them from depiction or change due to leakageof any gaseous liquid or solid constituent and from any contaminantpresent in the ambient atmosphere. The inner seal 21B prevents leakageof any original or evolved constituent of the container body contentsinto the space between the two covers. This preserves the appearance ofthe sealed container and makes it feasible, particularly when the innercover top is recessed, to utilize the space between the covers for anyof various secondary packaging purposes, such as storage of ingredientsfor future addition to the container body contents, of instructionleaflets, or of premiums, or the like.

The outer film cover may be of any heat-sealing film material, such aspolyethylene, polypropylene or laminates of these materials whichinclude cellophane, Mylar, Saran and the like. The cover film may bewholly transparent for visibility of any product or sourceidentification printed or embossed on the inner cover, or the film mayhave such printing thereon with consequent saving of the much greatercost of printing the molded inner covers or embossing them duringmolding.

The inner cover 15- is preferably of the snap-in type, as described, torelieve the heat-seals 21A, 21B from strains incident to shipping andother handling of the sealed container. Conversely, the outer film coveras sealed to the body bead and to the inner cover prevents any verticalor angular displacement of the inner cover with respect to the containerbody.

When initial access to the container contents is desired, the tab 13 maybe pressed upwardly (FIG. 6) by the thumb or finger. This locally breaksthe tear-off head from the container body along the tear-line defined bya the opposed notches above described. As the tab is lifted, the tearinitiated by the break 22 progresses in opposite directions along thetear-line until the tear-off is completed at the opposite side of thecontainer body. As the tear progresses from the initial break, the innercover attached to the body head by film cover 26 tilts out of the upperend of the container body. When the itear-ofi of the body head iscompleted, the container body has a smooth beadless top edge 12 (FIG.7). A re-usable snapin cover unit for such modified container body isnow afforded by the inner cover 15, the film cover 2t) and the head 11with its tab 13. The cover film is not torn by removal of the body beadand remains attached to the inner cover 15 and to the bead 11 whichremains peripherally continuous.

The unsealed container is now suited for coveredstorage of its partiallydepleted contents or, after being emptied, for other covered-storageuses. In such subsequent use, the interlocking engagement between thebody bead 14 and the cover groove 17 prevents accidental dislodgement ofthe cover unit. The tab 13 though originally part of the body of thecontainer, is now part of the reusable cover unit and provides a fingergrip or handle, facilitating removal of such unit from the modifiedcontainer body.

In the container above described, the film cover 20 may be applied tothe filled container as a pre-cut disc or it may, as described forexample in copending applications Serial Nos. 852,040 and 859,685, becut from a film web after, or concurrently with, the heat-sealingoperation.

In the modification shown in FIG. 8, the container body and the innercover are of the same construction as above described, but the outercover 20A heat-sealed to the tear-01'1" head of the body and to theinner cover is an annulus rather than a disc. In general, thedescription of FIGS. 1 to 7 is applicable to FIG. 8 and need not berepeated.

Containers embodying the invention need not be of the circular shapeshown, but may be oval, rectangular or other desired shape withretention of advantages above discussed. Because the container body, theinner cover and the outer cover are chemically inert plastic, a widevariety of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and the like may be inexpensivelypackaged without danger of contamination. Also since the covers and bodyare heat-sealed, the use of adhesives, with consequent possibility ofcontamination, is avoided. Using film of the usual heat-sealing types,the two seals 21A, 21B are hermetic seals. When the container contentsare of nature requiring that the container be able to breathe, suchcharacteristic may be attained by use of a cover film which has beneirradiated or otherwise treated to obtain micro-porosity, permittingpassage of gas but precluding passage of moisture.

What is claimed is:

l. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having at its open endan integral tear-ofi bead extending around the entire periphery of saidbody, a preformed inner plastic cover for closing said open end of thecontainer body, and a plastic film cover applied over said inner coverand leaving a space between said covers said film cover beingperipherally heat-sealed both to said tear-off bead and to thecontiguous area of said inner cover to provide a dual seal isolating thecontainer contents from the atmosphere and from the space between saidcovers.

2. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having at its open endan integral tear-01f bead extending around the entire periphery of saidbody, a preformed inner plastic cover for closing said open end of thecontainer body, said preformed cover and said container body havinginterlocking surfaces for mechanical retention of said inner cover incontainer-closing position, and a plastic film cover applied over saidinner cover and peripherally heat-sealed both to said tear-elf bead andto the contiguous area of said inner cover leaving a space between saidcovers and providing a dual seal isolating the container contents fromthe atmosphere and from the space between said covers until said head istorn off for initial access to the container contents, said tear-offbead, said film cover and said inner cover remaining sealed to eachother for removal as a unit from said container body and thereafterserving as a re-usable cover unit for the container body which is heldin position by said interlocking surfaces.

3. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having at its open endan integral tear-01f bead extending around the entire periphery of saidbody, a tab integral with said tear-ofi. bead of the container body, apreformed inner plastic cover for closing said open end of the containerbody, and a plastic film cover applied over said inner cover andperipherally heat-sealed both to said tear-off bead and to thecontiguous area of said inner cover, said tab, in initial opening of thecontainer, serving as means for tearing said head from the containerbody with concurrent removal of said inner cover and said film coverfrom the container body and subsequently serving as a handle of are-usable cover unit formed by the torn-off bead, said inner cover andsaid film cover as remaining sealed to said head and to said innercover.

4. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having at its open endan integral tear-off bead extending upwardly and outwardly therefromthroughout the entire periphery of the container body and an inwardlyextending locking bead, a snap-in plastic cover having a groove whichreceives said locking bead of the container body and a top flange ofthickness corresponding with the height of said tear-off bead, and aplastic film cover overlying said snap-in cover and peripherallyheat-sealed both to said tear-off bead and to the contiguous flange areaof said snap-in cover to provide seals isolating the container contentsuntil said head is torn off to permit initial access to them, saidtear-off bead, said film cover and said inner cover thereafter remainingattached to each other jointly to serve as a re-usable snap-in coverunit retained in position by engagement between said groove and saidlocking bead.

5. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having at its open endan integral tear-off bead extending around the entire periphery of thecontainer body, a tab integral with and extending outwardly from saidtear-oif bead of the container body, a preformed plastic inner cover forclosing said open end of the container body, said preformed cover andsaid container body having interlocking surfaces for retaining the coverin container-closing position, and a plastic film cover overlying saidinner cover and peripherally heat-sealed both to said tear-01f bead ofthe container body and to the contiguous area of said inner cover toprovide a seal isolating the container contents until said bead is tornoff for initial access thereto, said tab, in the initial opening of thesealed container, serving as a means for tearing said bead from thecontainer body and subsequently serving as a handle of a re-usable coverunit formed by the torn-ofi bead, said inner cover and said film coveras remaining sealed to said head and to said inner cover, said re-usablecover being retained in position by said interlocking surfaces.

6. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having an integraltear-off bead extending upwardly and outwardly from its upper edgethroughout the entire periphery thereof and a locking bead extendinginwardly from said upper edge, a plastic snap-in cover having a groovewhich mates with said locking bead of the container body and having anupper face which is substantially flush with the upper face of saidtear-oft bead, and a plastic film cover peripherally heat-sealed to saidupper faces of the tear-oft bead and the snap-in cover to provide a sealisolating the container contents until said bead is torn off for initialaccess thereto, said tear-oft bead and said snap-in cover as joined bysaid film snap-in cover serving as a re-usable cover unit retained inposition by mating engagement between said groove and said locking bead.

7. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having an integraltear-01f bead extending upwardly and outwardly from its upper edgethroughout the entire periphery thereof and a locking bead extendinginwardly from said upper edge, said tear-0E bead having an integral tabeX- tending therefrom, a plastic snap-in cover having a groove receivingsaid locking bead of the container body and having an upper face whichis substantially flush with the upper face of said tear-01f bead, and aplastic film cover peripherally heat-sealed to said upper faces of thetear-off bead and the snap-in cover to provide a seal isolating thecontainer contents, said tab serving as a means for tearing said beadfrom the sealed container for initial access to its contents andsubsequently serving as a handle for a re-usable snap-in cover unitformed by the torn-01f bead, said snap-in cover and said film cover asremaining sealed thereto, said re-usable snap-in cover unit beingretained in position by engagement between said groove and said lockingbead.

8. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having an integraltear-off bead extending upwardly from and coextensive with theperipheray of the open end of said body, a preformed inner plastic coverfitting into said open end of the container body with its upper faceflush with the upper edge of said tear-off bead, and an outer plasticfilm cover having contiguous peripheral areas respectively heat-sealedto said body tear-off bead and to the adjacent peripheral area of saidinner cover to provide a dual seal for isolation of the containercontents, said preformed inner cover, said outer film cover and saidtearoff bead being removable as a unit from the container body as saidbead is torn from the container body for initial access to its contents.

9. A sealed container comprising a plastic body having an integraltear-off bead extending upwardly and outwardly from and coextensive withthe periphery of the open end of said body and having below said openend an inwardly extending locking bead; a preformed snap-in cover havinga recessed upper face, a peripheral flange of thickness substantiallyequal to the height of said tearoff bead and a groove for mating withsaid locking bead; and a plastic film cover applied over said preformedcover and peripherally heat-sealed both to said tear-0E bead of the bodyand said flange of said preformed cover to provide a dual seal isolatingthe container contents from the atmosphere and from the space betweensaid film cover and the recessed upper face of said preformed cover; thetear-off of said bead effecting concurrent removal of said film coverand said preformed cover from the container body for initial access toits contents; said tear-01f bead thereafter remaining sealed to saidinner cover and said film cover to provide a reusable snap-in cover unitretained in position by engagement between said groove and said lockingbead.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,837,236 Betner June 3, 1958 2,866,586 Moore Dec. 30, 1958 2,880,859Tupper Apr. 7, 1959 2,886,198 Herter May 12, 1959 2,887,244 Betner May19, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3,048,299 August 7, I962 Herman R. Hutchinson ears in the abovenumbered pat- It is hereby certified that error app ters Patent shouldread as ant requiring correction and that the said Let corrected below.

line 32, for "removable" read removal after "wide" insert upper after"covers" insert a comma.

Column 1, column 2, line 15, column 3, line 62,

Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

